Michigan’s Big Ten title defense may have just taken a brutal hit before the season even starts.
Freshman Brandon McCoy was carried off the court just 20 seconds into Michigan’s exhibition game after slipping on a wet spot on the floor, and the scene immediately raised alarms about how serious the injury might be. He was on the floor for about a minute, then got to his feet with help, tried to walk, couldn’t put weight on his right leg, and was eventually taken to the locker room.
Days earlier, Moustapha Thiam had also been forced out of a game with an injury during Michigan’s European tour, adding another layer of concern for a team that was already looking at major turnover.
Michigan freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. was carried off the court just 20 seconds into Michigan’s exhibition game pic.twitter.com/xbaBEiTQgY
- The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) August 27, 2026
That kind of injury risk is exactly why plenty of fans and coaches have never loved exhibitions, pro-ams, or overseas games against European pro teams. The experience can be a valuable bonding trip, but the downside is obvious when a player goes down in a scrimmage that doesn’t count for anything meaningful. If the point is simply to get the travel experience, some would rather see a regular-season game against another NCAA team overseas instead of putting players in harm’s way in these settings.
For Michigan, the timing could hardly be worse. The Wolverines are already reshaping their roster after losing their three-headed monster to the NBA and head coach Dusty May to the Dallas Mavericks.
They also said goodbye to Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson, and Aday Mara. Losing McCoy, who is being talked about as their most talented player and top pro prospect, would be a massive blow on top of all that.
If McCoy’s injury keeps him out into the start of the season or beyond the opening stretch of Big Ten play, Michigan’s repeat chances could take a major hit. The Wolverines are trying to stay in the mix, but the path is much tougher now with Michigan State, Illinois, USC, UCLA, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, and Purdue all positioned for a demanding race at the top of the league.
For now, Michigan is waiting on the most important update of all: whether McCoy is OK. Getting carried off is never a good sign.
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